Are soldiers allowed to wear civilian multicam pants on post when not in Army uniform?

2019-03-18T18:08:28-04:00

Today I was over at the Fort Sill USAO to use their computers for my SSD1 when I was stopped and promptly dressed down by a sergeant for wearing a pair of multicam pants when I was wearing civilian attire. I believe he was mistaken about the pants themselves, and thought that they were uniform pants, however he did not give me a word in edgeways to explain that they were not. This raised a question in my mind, and after digging through AR670-1, I am unable to find an answer to this and I would like some input from any sergeants, or officers here. Are soldiers allowed to wear civilian "tactical" camo pants when in civilian attire while on post? In my case, for clarification, they were a pair of 511 TDUs in Crye Multicam. If any info from regulations can be added I would much appreciate it, as my platoon sergeant has ok'ed it, and I would like something to back me up should I run across said sergeant again. just in case, TL;DR, are soldiers allowed to wear civilian multicam pants on post when not in army uniform?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 6:29 PM

2019-03-18T18:29:06-04:00

Comfortable and cool or not....next time you could draw the ire of a CSM or two. Is that comfort and coolness really worth it, even if they are civilian attire?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 7:12 PM

2019-03-18T19:12:16-04:00

Unless there is a post policy or unit policy on prohibiting wearing multicam pants, continue wearing them. Just because someone perceived them as ACU pants, doesn't mean they're right. Politely and tactfully point out they are not uniform pants and that they are just your civilian attire. If they refuse to acknowledge, say roger and carry on.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 7:27 PM

2019-03-18T19:27:48-04:00

If they are civilian attire you are fine to wear them. Yes it is easier to avoid issues by wearing what other perceive as normal but you are ok.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 7:29 PM

2019-03-18T19:29:03-04:00

670-1, Chapter 3-9
f. No part of a prescribed uniform, except those items not exclusively military in character, may be worn with civilian clothing.

g. Uniform items authorized for wear with civilian clothing by males are restricted to the gold cuff links, studs, tie bar, mourning band, footwear, socks, gloves, undergarments, black bow-tie, wool scarf, all-weather coat, fleece caps, and physical training uniforms.

While I understand your pants are not issued, they obviously look like issued pants and I'm sure will continue to be confused for issued gear. Get yourself some real pants and stop looking like a private. You're not high speed enough to be that tacticool.

Response by SGT Adam Winebarger made Mar 18 at 2019 8:25 PM

2019-03-18T20:25:40-04:00

If you really want to wear camo pants, I would suggest some pants that don’t look, even remotely, like they were part of a military uniform. Maybe find a camo pattern that is noticeably different from the OCP/multi-cam pattern. But in my personal opinion, just don’t wear camo pants in civvies. It looks tacky.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 18 at 2019 8:41 PM

2019-03-18T20:41:44-04:00

Yo can of course wear civilian clothes. However, when you wear clothes that closely resemble uniforms you place yourself at risk. Why subject yourself to have to go through the onslaught of NCO’s and some officers who will be quick to correct. Why? Thank you for your service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 8:42 PM

2019-03-18T20:42:58-04:00

I will agree in part with others that have commented, the easiest way to move forward would be to blend in. By wearing something that could easily be misconstrued as an uniformed item you make yourself a target for anyone having a bad day, or even for a common misunderstanding.

All that being said if you like the pattern and wish to continue wearing it make the logo I'm sure is on there extremely obvious. Black out the 511 logo so it stands out clearly from the pants and if you get addressed be respectful in the way you talk to whoever is making the correction and display the logo clearly. I will tell you, you are not breaking any regulations and are not doing anything "wrong" however you are making yourself stand out which could draw attention you may not be seeking.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2019 9:50 PM

2019-03-18T21:50:03-04:00

Short answer: Yes.
Question: Is it worth the hassle of being on the listening end of that one-way conversation every single time?
Not really.
5.11 TDU multicams look exactly like OCP trousers to everyone who doesn't own a pair of both.
5.11 makes the same pants in every color of the tactical rainbow, pick anything other than multicam and wear those.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 18 at 2019 10:56 PM

2019-03-18T22:56:56-04:00

Having read the entire thread (so far) let me put this to you another way...

Yes, technically, you can wear them. Yes, they will bring you grief if you do. Yes, you like them and they are comfortable. No, you shouldn't have to change to go on post.

BUT.... proper prior planning prevents piss-poor performance. If you know you are going on post that day, pick a different pair of pants. Do you ONLY own jeans (which I understand you prefer not to wear outside of work) and multicam 5.11s? No other options at all? If you have other options, then when you get dressed in the morning of a day you have to go on post, just wear different pants. If you don't have other options, get some.

A little bit of planning can prevent a ton of headache without having to go through a bunch of hassle, either.

Response by SSG George Holtje made Mar 18 at 2019 11:26 PM

2019-03-18T23:26:04-04:00

You cannot wear uniform parts with civilian clothing except for the items outlined in AR 670-1. This includes undershirts and cutoffs that haven’t been hemmed.
You can wear non uniform pants that have the current camo pattern.
The question is why bother buying them and creating an opportunity for a chewing.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 19 at 2019 12:18 AM

2019-03-19T00:18:45-04:00

Why invite trouble? Go inconspicuous. Plain old vanilla never goes out of style.

Response by PO2 Bill Kuiper made Mar 19 at 2019 11:14 AM

2019-03-19T11:14:08-04:00

Avoid if you are on base.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 12:17 PM

2019-03-19T12:17:54-04:00

If the civilian multicam trousers looks that much like the Army trousers, I highly recommend you to not wear them on post because you will definitely get approach again by another leader who enforces the standards.

Use your own judgement, if it’s that close don’t do it. You informing the NCO that the pants were not Army issue would not have changed the outcome if they look that close.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 1:20 PM

2019-03-19T13:20:48-04:00

You know damn well that he mistook them for uniform pants, so don't act as if you're unsure. Yes, they're authorized, and you are authorized to wear them. Wear them, if you'd like, knowing that they look like a uniform item, and that you should expect to be stopped for improperly wearing a uniform item. Also, wear them knowing that it only takes one eye roll, one interruption, one smirk, one failure to go to parade rest or position of attention, or any other disrespect through deportment, for it to move from an on-the-spot correction to your rights being read to you for disrespect or insubordinate conduct.

Response by SSgt Joseph Ovady made Mar 19 at 2019 5:00 PM

2019-03-19T17:00:34-04:00

Seriously, wearing camouflage anything has become an epidemic. It's not fashion anytime you mix something from your uniform with anything else.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Mar 19 at 2019 5:24 PM

2019-03-19T17:24:45-04:00

Some posts have additional policies about what (civilian clothing) can be worn post. You need to check with your NCOs for any additional polices on Ft Sill.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 5 at 2019 6:32 AM

2019-05-05T06:32:07-04:00

I get the comfort aspect, I do. I own more than a few pairs of them myself so I can attest. As to your question, no there is nothing in AR 670-1 that prohibits the wear of them in while off duty and in civilian attire. That said this is one of those "yes legally you can but should you" situations.

Wear something else. Simple as that. You know, as we all know and are aware that they appear to look exactly like duty uniform issue and that it will be addressed by any self respecting NCO, officer and even some lower enlisted. The person goes off of what they see as a problem.

Wear some other pattern that is not currently in issue and problem solved. You are comfortable, not in jeans and you are not passively targeting an NCO with regulation radar.

You really don't want to be that guy do you as it does and can have a downside if the right persons ear is reached and a local policy is written that WILL have you in hot water AR 670-1 or not.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Oct 8 at 2019 10:36 PM

2019-10-08T22:36:47-04:00

Yes you can wear them, they are not issued, therefore not a part of the uniform. Multicam is just a pattern and not the same pattern as OCP. I wear crye cut off shorts all the time.

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Dec 22 at 2019 11:51 AM

2019-12-22T11:51:56-05:00

If you want to wear them that bad don't remove the label and have them dry cleaned only( or wear a sign stating what they are). No confusion no disrespect. Just know that someone else will approach you if you do not and that would be 100% your fault.

Response by SFC Timothy Ross made Apr 4 at 2020 3:28 PM

2020-04-04T15:28:55-04:00

What if you are not active duty? There may be civilian or dependents wearing these clothes. Be careful when you make on the spot corrections.

Response by Cpl Ed Hines made Apr 4 at 2020 8:53 PM

2020-04-04T20:53:49-04:00

Question: can you wear shit you know you are not supposed to.
Answer: No.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 18 at 2020 2:27 PM

2020-09-18T14:27:28-04:00

Crye multicams are issue items to some Soldiers!

Response by CPO Matthew Bigelow made Apr 4 at 2021 8:50 AM

2021-04-04T08:50:53-04:00

I'm not Army, but retired Navy, and while I agree with those advising caution when addressing a SNCO, I disagree with those arguing for compliance simply because an ignorant NCO said so. If you are wearing authorized civilian clothing then wear it and just be respectful after getting an ear full from an S/NCO when explaining that you are not wearing an uniform article. As an S/NCO they should be respectful i hearing YOU out and accept that you're complete in companies with uniform regulations. If they can't do that then they are bad leaders - DO NOT FLOW THEIR EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP. If a leader cannot accept a respectful correction from a junior, they don't deserve to be leaders. You still must respect the rank they hold (don't get yourself in trouble by "disrepecting" a a senior), but you don't have to respect them as a human.

However, having said all that, pick your battles. Disrespect is extremely subjective, and your CO (or immediate officer in your chain if command) may just side with the S/NCO.